Travel precautions issued for New Year's Eve

Wednesday

Dec 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMDec 30, 2009 at 6:27 PM

With the uncertainty surrounding the timing and types of precipitation expected over the long holiday weekend, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends that everyone take extra precautions if they must travel beginning on New Year’s Eve.

Staff reports

If you are traveling anytime Thursday evening through Sunday you can count on some type of messy weather which could make driving difficult in some areas and nearly impossible in others.

With the uncertainty surrounding the timing and types of precipitation expected over the long holiday weekend, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends that everyone take extra precautions if they must travel beginning on New Year’s Eve.

Beginning Thursday evening, it is recommended that those traveling to evening holiday festivities take public transportation and continue to monitor the weather through the media.

The current forecast calls for light snow, possibly mixing with rain, to start Thursday afternoon and continue overnight. Snow and rain will continue on New Year's Day and change back to all snow Friday night. The storm could then stall and intensify off the coast Saturday, sending waves of heavy snow and strong winds into the whole state. The storm and snow may not stop until sometime Sunday.

MEMA offers the following safety tips for travel during this time of year:

- You should always travel with at least a half-tank of fuel in your vehicle.

- Avoid driving during the height of the storm, if possible, allowing those treating and plowing the roads to safely do their jobs.

- If you must be on the road, leave plenty of time for your trip, drive slowly, and allow extra room between yourself and others on the road.

- Even when the snowfall subsides, blowing snow can continue to make visibility difficult.

- As with every New Year’s Eve, regardless of the driving conditions, drive defensively and take extra precautions if you must be on the road.

For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.